Portable hydraulically operated digger



Jan. 1, 1957 H. D. BROWN PORTABLE 'HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED DIGGEIR Filed June 23, 1955 INVENTOR HOWARD ID- BROWN ATTORNEY United States Patent PORTABLE HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED DIGGER Howard D. Brown, Westfield, N. J.

Application June 23, 1953, Serial No. 363,475

7 Claims. (Cl. 255'-22) This invention relates to diggers adapted for mounting upon a truck and utilized to dig holes in the ground. More particularly, the invention deals with an apparatus of the character described having a positive control drive of the auger, as well as a positive controlled feed of the auger operating head of the digger. Further, the invention deals with a digger, wherein an elongated U-shaped frame is employed having telescoping standards or posts, with means for adjustably coupling the telescoping posts to control position thereof, when the digger is in use, as well as when the digger is in collapsed position upon the truck.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a digger, wherein one stationary frame includes a pair of chains, utilized in control of feed of the head in the operation of digging a hole.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a digger made according to my invention, with parts of the construction broken away and parts in section and diagrammatically showing support of the digger on a girder beam, controlling movement of the digger into different positions with respect to a supporting truck.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the digger with parts of the construction broken away and in section and omitting part of the structure shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view, substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

My present digger is adapted for use in connection with service trucks of various types and kinds having a derrick operating from either end of the truck, the derrick being utilized for movement of the digger into different positions with respect to the truck and in support of the digger in upright position in the operation of digging a hole. The truck is not shown, as it forms no part of the present invention. However, in Fig. 1 of the drawing, I have shown'the outer end portion of the beam of a derrick, which supports a pulley or sheave 11. At 12 I have shown part of what is generally referred to as a stiff leg which is supported on the ground to maintain the end 10 in predetermined position, after the digger has been set preparatory for digging a hole.

The outer end of the beam 10 has a bracket 13, which supports one part 14 of a universal joint, the other part 15 being integral with the top crosshead 16 of my digger frame 17. The frame 17 is generally in the form of an elongated U, the crosshead having depending columns or. posts 18 of rectangular cross-sectional form and these posts fit in and telescope in companion posts 19 having, at their lower ends, spiked feet 20 for definite positioning in the ground at opposed sides of an area to be dug.

Above the feet 20 are reinforcing plates 21 to give 2,776,114 Patented Jan. 1, 1957 stability to the lower end of the frame 17. The posts 19 have, at their upper ends, a tubular crosshead 22, in which is mounted a manually operated keying mechanism, comprising two key pins 23 actuated through a lever 24 to withdraw normally projecting pins, so as to facilitate telescoping of the tubes 18 with respect to the tubes or posts 19 in adjusting the position of the frame parts, one with respect to the other, the tubes 18 having spaced apertures, as at 25, for controlling positioning of the frame parts one with respect to the other, the uppermost apertures 25, which are shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, serving to support the complete digger in its fully collapsed position.

At 26 is shown an operating head, comprising tubes 27 slidably mounted on the tubes 19, the head including a crossframe 28, in conjunction with which two hydraulic motors 29 and 30 are supported, these motors being controlled through suitable control valves, not shown, to gauge operation of each motor in the operation of the head 26 and also in operation of the auger supporting spindle 31.

The motor 29 drives a suitable transmission 32 through a chain drive, as diagrammatically seen at 33 for actuating of the spindle 31; whereas a similar drive 34 is provided between the motor 30 and another transmission 35 for actuating the drive shaft 36 of the head 26.

Supported on the tubes 27, in alinement with the ends of the shaft 36, are two similar casings 37, in each of which are supported a center sprocket 38 and two idler sprockets 39 and 40, note Fig. 1. Two chains 41 are fixed to one of the plates 21 of each foot 20, as clearly seen in Fig. l of the drawing, and extend upwardly and are adjustably mounted at the ends of the crosshead 22, as seen at 42. The adjustments at 42 control the tightness or looseness of the chains or what might be said to be the tension of the chains. The chains 41 pass through the casings 37 over the idlers 39 and 40 and are looped around the sprockets 38, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The sprockets 38 are driven by the shaft 36 and, by controlling the direction of drive of the hydraulic motor 30, it will be apparent that the head 26 can be raised and lowered on the tubes 19. The lowering of the head can be controlled in synchronism with the drive of the auger supporting spindle 31, so as to definitely control the digging operation and consistent with soil conditions that are operated upon at the time. In other words, with some soil conditions, downward feed of the head can be relatively fast; whereas, at other times, feed of this head will be slow. However, with the manual control on the motors, the digging operation can be varied from time to time, both as to feed of-the head and speed of rotation of the auger spindle 31.

By reason of the simplicity in the construction of the U-shaped frame comprising the telescoping frame parts, an economical type of digger can be produced and one which can be manipulated from a truck for positioning on the ground at various positions and upon various terrain levels.

Further, the digger can conveniently be collapsed to rest upon the derrick beam on the top of a truck when the digger is not in use and in transportation of the digger from place to place in the use thereof. The universal joint coupling facilitates positioning of the digger in many differently rotated positions, as well as in different angular positions with respect to the derrick.

It will be apparent that the casings 37 form housings around the sprockets to prevent any physical contact therewith and it is preferred that the lower portions of the casings be opened, as indicated at 37', in Fig. 1 of the drawing, so that particles that may be displaced from the chain can drop through the bottom of the casing. In this connection, it will be understood that, quite often,

soil removed from a hole will gather to some extent on the lower portions 6f the ehaiiis '41' so that, wheii the head extends downwardly to a position adjacent the ground, this dirt collected in the chain will be displaced by the sprockets 38, 39 and 40 which operate in both directions through the 'chaiii, thus keeping the chain free and clear for operationat all times.

It will be understood that the mechanism which I refer to generally as the head constitutes the operating mechanism" of the digger and no specific details of the head or the mechanism thereof is described, as this, in itself, is of noconsequenc'e, particularly. The only essential features to be here of concern arethe tubes 27 of the head, in conjunction with which the drive sprockets are mounted, with suitable hydraulic drive mechanism on the frame 28 for actuating the head and also for operation of the auger spindle 31.

These mechanisms of drive and transmission, as well as controls therefor, arewell known in the art and require no detail consideration or description, beyond that heretofore given.

The digger is adapted to actuate through the spindle 31. Angers of any type and kind could, for example, be of the type and kind disclosed in my prior application Serial Number 270,637; filed February 8, 1952.

From a standpoint of description, it will be apparent that the U-shaped frame 17 of the digger actually comprises two telescoping frames, the frame comprising the tubes 19 and the crosshead' 22 may be said to be the main frame; whereas the frame comprising the crosshead 16 and tubes 18' can be regarded as thesu pplemental or movable frame, the frame bein'g mov'able'in the sense that it is adjustable relatively to the main frame in positioning the two frames one with respect to the other and both with respect to the support 10.

Having fully described-my invention, what -I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1 An hydraulic digging apparatus of the character described, comprising a U-shaped frame composed of a main supporting frame and asupplemental frame telescoping in the main frame, said frames being arranged upright, when in operative position, each frame comprising spaced tubes joined at upper ends in a crosshead, the tubes constitutingsi'de members of the frame, the tubes of the main frame having, at their lower ends, spiked feet for fixed positioning-said tubes in the ground, meanscoupled with the crosshea'd of the supplemental frame for supporting the apparatus in predetermined upright position with respect to the ground, means adjustably keying the frames in different positions of adjustment one with respect to' the other, an operating head' slidably mounted on the side membersof' the main frame, said head comprising two hydraulic motors, anauger spindle, means for driving said spin'dlefro'm one of said motors,- chains extending along the tubes of said main frame, ends of said chains bein'g fixed to upper and lower ends of the main frame, said hea'dhaving casings in alinement with said tubesand through which said chainspass, groups of sprockets mounted in said casings and around which said chains pass in support and operation'of -said head, and means actuated bythe other hydraulic motor for operating one of the sprockets in each group in actu-t ating said head longitudinally of the main frame on said chains in both directions;

2. An hydraulic digging apparatus of the character described, comprisinga U-shaped frame composed of a main supporting frame and a supplemental-frame: tele' scoping inthe main frame, said'frames being arranged upright, when in operativeposition, eachframe compris-' ing spaced tubes joinedkat upperends in a crosshead, the tubes constituting side members ofthe' frame, the tubes of the main" frame having, attheir lower"ends', spiked feet for fixed positioning said tubes-in the ground, means coupled with' the crossliea'd of thesu'ppleme'ntal immense supporting 'thea paratus in predetermined uprightposi tion with respect to the ground, means adjustably keying the frames in different positions of adjustment one with respect to the other, an operating head slidably mounted on the side members of the main frame, said head comprising two hydraulic motors, an auger spindle, means for driving said spindle from one of said motors, chains extending along the tubes of said main frame, ends of said chains being fixed to upper and lower ends of the main frame, said head having casings in alinement with said tubes and through which said chains pass, groups of sprockets mounted in said casings and around which said chains pass in support and operation of said head, means actuated by the other hydraulic motor for operating one of the sprockets each group in actuating said head longitudinally of the main frame on said chains in both directions, and said last named means comprising a transmission having a shaft, ends of which extend into both casings and, on which, the sprockets are mounted for driving the head along said chains.

3. An hydraulic digging apparatus of the character dies '1 ed, comprising a U-shaped frame composed of a main supporting" frame and a supplemental frame are, sco'p in the maiii frame, said frames being arranged upright, when in operative position, each frame compris ing spaced tubes joined at upper ends in a crosshead, the tubes constituting side members of the frame, the tubes of the rriain frame having, at their lower ends, spiked feet for fixed positioning said tubes in the ground,means c'ciiipled with the crosshead of the supplemental frame for supporting the apparatus in predetermined upright position withrespect to the ground, means adjustably keying the frame in" erentpositions of adjustment one with respecit to the (it er, an operating head slidably mounted on the side members of the main frame, said head compris" "g' two hydraulic rn'otors, an auger spindle, means for driving s aid spindle from one of said motors, chains extending alongthe tubes of said main frame, ends of said chains bei'ngfi to upper and lower ends of the main frame, s aid he "having casings in alinement with said tubes and throiigh which said' chains pass, groups of sprockets mount" said casings and arou'nd which said chains pass" in Sir and operation of said head, means actuated by the other hydraulic motor for operating one of the sprockets in each group in actuating said head longimaifiaii of the mainframe on said chains in both directions, and said first named means comprising a universal joi'tjt.

4. digger of the character described, comprising an elongated U-shaped main frame, defined by tubular side members and a* crosshead joining upper ends of said side members, the side members having spiked feet at their lower ends, a supplemental U-shaped frame having side members arranged in and telescoping in the tubular side members of the main frame, means for adjustably fixing the supplemental frame in the main frame, the upper end ofthe" supplemental frame having a crosshead including means for coupling a supporting member therewith for maintaining said frames in upright position, an auger operating head slidably engaging the side members of the.

mainframe, anauger supporting spindle in said head,'said head including two hydraulic motors, one motor being'in operative engagement with and adapted to actuate said spindle, and means in operative engagement with the other- 1 motor for ,actuating said head to move the same on the' arranged'in and telescoping in'the tubular-side" members of thema'in" frame, manually operated mea' 'ns' (iii the cressheadtif the" main frame operatively engaging the side nfemb e'zsofthesupplemental frame for adjust ably fixing the supplemental frame in the main frame, the upper end of the supplemental frame having a crosshead including means for coupling a supporting member therewith for maintaining said frames in upright position, an auger operating head slidably engaging the side members of the main frame, an auger supporting spindle in said head, said head including two hydraulic motors, one motor being in operative engagement with and adapted to actuate said spindle, and means at end portions of said head and on the side members of the main frame in operative engagement with the other motor for actuating said head to move the same on the side members of the main frame in the drive of said spindle.

6. An hydraulic digging apparatus of the character described, comprising a U-shaped frame composed of a main supporting frame and a supplemental frame telescoping in the main frame, said frames being arranged upright, when in operative position, each frame comprising spaced tubes joined at upper ends in a crosshead, the tubes constituting side members of the frame, the tubes of the main frame having, at their lower ends, spiked feet for fixedly positioning said tubes in the ground, means coupled with the crosshead of the supplemental frame for supporting the apparatus in predetermined upright position with respect to the ground, means adjustably keying the frames in different positions of adjustment one with respect to the other, an operating head slidably mounted on the side members of the main frame, said head comprising two hydraulic motors, an auger spindle, means for driving said spindle from one of said motors, chains extending along the tubes of said main frame, ends of said chains being fixed to upper and lower ends of the main frame, said head having casings in alinement with said tubes and through which said chains pass, groups of sprockets mounted in said casings and around which said chains pass in support and operation of said head, means actuated by the other hydraulic motor for operating one of the sprockets in each group in actuating said head longitudinally of the main frame on said chains in both directions, said last named means comprising a transmission having a shaft, ends of which extend into both casings and, on which, the sprockets are mounted for driving the head along said chains, and means coupled with one of the fixed ends of said chains and with the main frame for adjusting the tension of the chains.

7. An hydraulic hole digging apparatus of the character described, comprising a substantially upright U- shaped frame having spaced side members with engageable means thereon, means fixing the lower ends of the side members on a supporting surface, means movable vertically on the upper end of the frame for supporting the frame in upright position with respect to said surface, a combination spindle drive and feed head sli-clably mounted in the frame to move upwardly and downwardly therein, said head including means, at the sides thereof, engaging said means on the side members of the frame for feeding said head on the frame, means, centrally of the head, for supporting and operating a spindle, a hydraulic motor on said head in operative engagement with and actuating said last named means, and another hydraulic motor on said head in operative engagement with and actuating said head feeding means for positively feeding the head in both directions in the frame in the operation of said spindle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 515,731 Daugherty et al. Feb. 27, 1894 1,304,523 Ball et al. May 20, 1919 1,317,875 Hansen Oct. 7, 1919 2,094,588 Curtis Oct. 5, 1937 2,137,900 Richardson Nov. 22, 1938 2,319,512 Parrish May 18, 1943 2,490,471 Ragoss Dec. 6, 1949 2,562,276 Kandle July 31, 1951 2,594,098 Vanderzee Apr. 22, 1952 2,622,847 Baldry Dec. 23, 1952 

